Sunday, August 7, 2011

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" opened with $54 million to capture the weekend's top spot in it's first weekend, according to studio estimates. Propelled by strong reviews and an aggressive ad campaign by 20th Century Fox, Apes did about $14 million more than projected. The movie earned recommendations from 81% of the nation's critics, a high percentage for an August action film. Fans were even more positive: 89% said they would recommend the movie.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

You know we must be getting close to the start of the college football season when the preseason rankings start getting released. This has got to be my favorite time of the year, it's still summer and the weather is nice (although here in California it's almost always nice) and we are on the verge of my favorite sport, college football! These rankings need to be taken with a grain of salt, not a game has been played and in reality, these polls set the playing field to the advantage of certain teams. If you don't start the season highly ranked, it will take a minor miracle to get into the BCS title game hunt. Still, it is fun to debate and argue the merits of these polls, which is one of the things that make college football the greatest sport there is (in my humble opinion). I'll have additional thoughts on this poll, but at first glance, I can't argue with Oklahoma at #1, I saw them first hand in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl handle my UConn Huskies. But, I find it slightly ridiculous that West Virginia is not ranked in this poll. Mark my words, that team will be explosive this year (can't wait for LSU to visit Morgantown early in the season!). And what's with all the ACC love? I'll put more stock in the first AP Rankings anyway.....

Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Dallas Mavericks enter tonights Game 6 with a chance to win their first ever NBA Championship. The Miami Heat will be fighting to avoid elimination. What has been one of the more memorable NBA Finals promises plenty more drama tonight as this storyline continues to unfold. Will Dirk Nowitzki capture his first ring or will Lebron James shake off his apparent funk in the quest for his elusive first championship? Tune in tonight.....

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The UConn Huskies stormed past Butler in the second half on Monday night and cruised to a 53-41 victory before 70,376 in Houston to capture their 3rd NCAA Basketball Championship. Kemba Walker led the Huskies with 16 points capping a remarkable season for the star guard. With the win, UConn joins only a handful of schools with 3 or more championships. Coach Jim Calhoun is the oldest coach to ever win a title and joins an elite group of 5 coaches with 3 or more titles, the other legendary coaches on the list are Coach K, Rupp, Wooden and Knight.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

UConn won the NCAA West Regionals for the 4th time and head to their fourth Final 4 as they beat Arizona 65-63 in Anaheim on Saturday. I was in attendance and it was an intense, hotly contested game from beginning to end. The Honda Center was overwhelmingly full of Arizona fans, but the few thousand UConn fans there made sure to make their presence felt. Kemba Walker once again outshone all others, with a good deal of help from quickly rising freshman Jeremy Lamb. UConn will continue it's amazing run, which began with 5 victories in 5 days to win the Big East tournament, as they head to Houston to meet the winner of Kentucky/North Carolina. Jim Calhoun and his Huskies are on the verge of their 3rd NCAA Championship, all the more impressive when you consider the four Final 4's and 2 Championships have all been in the last 12 years.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

The UConn Huskies behind the electrifying Kemba Walker, outlasted Syracuse in OT Friday night in a packed Madison Square Garden 76-71. With the victory, UConn continues their improbable tournament run Saturday night against Louisville in the Big East Tournament Championship game. Walker's stat line... 33 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals. If you watched the game, he was clearly the best player on the court, as he is the best player in the Big East and all of college basketball. With all due respect to Ben Hansbrough of Notre Dame who won the league's Player of the Year, but he is not in the same class as Kemba Walker. And as great a player as Jimmer Fredette of BYU is, he is not close to being the all around player that Walker is. Fredette, whom many believe will win National Player of the Year honors, is a scorer, that's it. It would be hard to imagine him putting together a stat line like the one Walker put up on Friday. Not to mention that BYU plays in the MWC Conference, which is not in the same league as the Big East and the conversation ends there. Player of the Year debates are out of Walker's hands, all he can control is what happens on the court, and his Huskies are flexing their muscle. They entered the Big East tournament as a most likely #5 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tourney, now they are looking at a #4 seed and possible a #3 seed with a win tonight. Not to mention the fact that if thy win the Big East tournament, that will tie them with Georgetown as most tournament championships all time at 7. Here's to a great game tonight in the basketball mecca of the world, New York City, under the lights in the Worlds Most Famous Arena, Madison Sqauare Garden. We'll witness two of the great coaches in college basketball facing off, Jim Calhoun against Rick Pitino for the most prestigious conference tournament championship and the transcedent Kemba Walker playing in his home city in front of a packed house sure to add to his growing legend.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Sorry SEC, now that it's basketball season there is a new dominant conference.... the Big East. If there was any doubt as to the dominance of the Big East over the rest of college basketball, one would only need to point to St. Johns 93-78 trouncing of Duke on Sunday. The fact that a 12-8 St. Johns team struggling to avoid the Big East basement was able to easily handle the ACC leading, defending national champion #3 Blue Devils, should squash anyone doubting the power of the Big East. There is no doubt that not only is the Big East vastly superior to the ACC, but the Big East is the unquestioned dominant conference in the land.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Just as soon as this new Poll came out, Kemba Walker and #8 UConn won a thriller over #7 Villanova 61-59 at Gampel Pavilion. National Player of the Year candidate Walker sealed the win with a floater in the lane with just over 2 seconds left in the game. And for all you Big East bashers out there who love to pile on the league during football season.... well, the Big East has 9 teams in the top 25... 9 ... Is there any doubt what league dominates college basketball?

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Monday night, the two unstoppable forces of this college football season take the field to settle the debate. Number one vs. Number two. Auburn vs. Oklahoma. Expect fireworks as two of the top offenses in the country square off. Get ready for a possible instant classic!

I experienced this game firsthand. As a lifelong UConn fan living in Southern California, I felt compelled to make the 5 hour drive to Phoenix to support my Huskies. And I more than glad that I did, what a fantastic experience. Just seeing the Huskies in a BCS game was surreal as they have only been on the FBS level for a short time. Seeing them take the field against mighty Oklahoma was icing on the cake. Watching the "Sooner Schooner" burst on the field was something to behold. Despite the 48-20 final score, this was far from being an Oklahoma rout. UConn trailed only 20-10 at halftime and 34-20 in the 4th quarter with the ball. Two late pick 6's by the Sooners as UConn attempted to rally, sealed the deal and led to the misleading final score. University of Phoenix stadium is one beautiful football stadium and the Fiesta Bowl folks put on one hell of a bowl game. Here is hoping that UConn finds themselves in another BCS game sooner rather than later.